On Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, the streets of Pittsburgh belonged to the kids. More than 18,500 young runners and guardians took to the course for the Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon, the nation’s largest youth race, crossing the same finish line on the Boulevard of the Allies as the pros. For thousands of Pittsburgh families, race day was not just a finish line. It was a celebration.

More Than a Mile

 

What makes the Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon different from any other youth race in the country is what happens before race day. Through P3R’s Kids of STEEL program, participants run 25.2 training miles by running, playing sports, going for family walks, or being active in any other way. They cap off their training season with the one-mile race to complete their full 26.2 “marathon”. The Kids of STEEL program is currently active in over 350 schools and organizations throughout Western Pennsylvania, making it one of the most impactful youth fitness programs in the region.

(Participants celebrate as they near the finish line on Boulevard of the Allies)

Kids of STEEL by the Numbers

 

The scale of the Kids of STEEL program speaks for itself. Kids of STEEL’s 350+  sites span across Pennsylvania and into West Virginia and Ohio. The program reaches an estimated 25,000 participants annually. On race day, that investment shows. 80% of Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon participants are Kids of STEEL members, meaning a majority of kids on that course did not just show up on race morning. They trained for it and they earned it. Together, they ran tens of thousands of miles before even stepping foot on the start line next to PNC Park. The Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon is not only the largest one-mile and youth race in America, it is the finish line of one of the most widespread youth fitness programs in the region.

A Day for the Whole Family 

 

The Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon was just one of five events that made up a record-breaking Family Day during the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events, which drew more than 26,000 participants across the UPMC Health Plan | UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K, U.S. Steel Pittsburgh Champions Mile, Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot, and the Pittsburgh Pet Walk. The energy along the course matched the scale of the day. Pittsburgh Steeler Keeanu Benton was on hand at the start line alongside other Pittsburgh mascots like Steely McBeam, the Pirate Parrot, and the brand new Kids of STEEL mascot, “Cape Kid”. P3R CEO Troy Schooley captured the moment best: “We continue to see incredible growth during race weekend, especially among our youngest participants. From record-breaking kids marathon participation to multiple sold-out events on Family Day, it’s clear that families are embracing the opportunity to be active together and support one another.”

(Keeanu Benton pumps up participants as they get ready to run)

Pittsburgh's Next Generation of Runners 

 

The Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon is where lifelong runners are made. Kids who cross that finish line on Boulevard of the Allies often come back years later to run the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon itself. Recommended for kids ages six through thirteen, the event gives young athletes a taste of the amazing race day atmosphere, crowd support, and the feeling of crossing a finish line. With nearly 10,000 kids taking part in 2026, P3R continues to invest in the next generation of runners, one mile at a time.

About P3R

P3R is the region’s go-to premier sporting event and experience expert. While best known for the annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R organizes up to 20 major events every year. With a rich history of working with top-tier clients such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the National Senior Games, and more, P3R brings operational excellence to every aspect of event planning and execution. As part of P3R’s non-profit mission to inspire any and all to MOVE with us, we provide premium event experiences and robust programming - including the Run for a Reason Charity Program, award-winning Kids of STEEL program, Pittsburgh Corporate Challenge, RUN Varsity, and more - that engage everyone in the Western Pennsylvania community and beyond.